Method, system and program product for calculating relationship strengths between users of a computerized network

ABSTRACT

Under the present invention a set of values is first determined. Such values include: a relative total value that is based on a total quantity of electronic interactions between a first user and a second user of the computerized network; a relative exclusive value that is based on a total quantity of electronic interactions exclusively between the first user and the second user; a relative longevity value that is based on a length of time the first user and the second user have been electronically interacting; and a relative recency value that is based on a recency of electronic interactions between the first user and the second user. Once determined, the values are weighted to yield normalized values. To calculate the relationship strength, the normalized values are summed and compared to a predetermined standard.

REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/649,149, filed on Aug. 27, 2003, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATION APPLICATIONS

This application is related in some aspects to commonly owned U.S.application Ser. No. 10/323,568, filed Dec. 19, 2002 and entitled DETECTAND QUALIFY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND FIND THE BEST PATH THROUGHTHE RESULTING SOCIAL NETWORK, herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method, system and programproduct for calculating relationship strengths between users of acomputerized network. Specifically, the present invention calculatesrelationship strengths between the users based on the electronicinteractions therebetween.

2. Related Art

Computer networks are becoming a powerful tool in business. For example,today, many businesses implement private networks such as a Local AreaNetwork (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Virtual Private Network(VPN), etc. in an effort to streamline business processes and connectemployees with each other. Such networks are especially useful in largeorganizations where employees are located in different geographicregions. Further, such networks can provide a central way for employeesto communicate with each other, to access resources (e.g., documents),etc. In optimizing a network, it could be advantageous to recognizepatterns in employees' interactions. That is, it could be advantageousto know the various relationship strengths between employees. Knowledgeof relationship strengths is typically useful for expertise location,referral in knowledge management, electronic mail filtering,categorization in messaging, resource organization from data mining,etc. For example, employee “A” might require expertise in a particulararea. Upon searching a company database, employee “A” might realize thatemployee “B” in another location has the needed expertise. It would beadvantageous for employee “A” to be able to determine if he/she has arelationship in common with employee “B” who could make an introduction.

Unfortunately, calculating a relationship strength between twoindividuals is not an easy task. In the above-incorporated patentapplication, several factors relating to relationship strength detectionwere discussed. For example, the quantity of times an employee e-mailedanother could be an indication of their relationship strength. Further,the number of times an employee appeared in another employee's calendarwas discussed as being an indicator of relationship strength. In anyevent, the amount of data required to make such determinations oftenmakes implementing such systems overly burdensome. Moreover, theaccuracy of the results could not be guaranteed, especially in specialcases.

In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a method, system andprogram product for calculating relationship strengths between users ofa computerized network. Specifically, a need exists for a system thatcan calculate relationship strengths with an high level of accuracy, andwithout requiring a large volume of data to be collected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides a method, system and programproduct for calculating relationship strengths between users of acomputerized network. Specifically, under the present invention a set ofvalues is first determined. Such values include: a relative total valuethat is based on a total quantity of electronic interactions between afirst user and a second user of the computerized network; a relativeexclusive value that is based on a total quantity of electronicinteractions exclusively between the first user and the second user; arelative longevity value that is based on a length of time the firstuser and the second user have been electronically interacting; and arelative recency value that is based on a recency of electronicinteractions between the first user and the second user. Oncedetermined, these values are weighted to yield normalized values. Tocalculate the relationship strength, the normalized values are summedand compared to a predetermined standard.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method forcalculating relationships strengths between users of a computerizednetwork, comprising: determining a relative total value based on a totalquantity of electronic interactions between a first user and a seconduser of the computerized network; determining a relative exclusive valuebased on a total quantity of electronic interactions exclusively betweenthe first user and the second user; determining a relative longevityvalue based on the length of time the first user and the second userhave been electronically interacting; determining a relative recencyvalue based the recency of electronic interactions between the firstuser and the second user; weighting the relative total value, therelative exclusive value, the relative recency value and the relativelongevity value to yield normalized values; and calculating arelationship strength between the first user and the second user basedon the normalized values.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a system for detectingrelationships strengths between users of a computerized network,comprising: a value calculation system for determining: a relative totalvalue based on a total quantity of electronic interactions between afirst user and a second user of the computerized network, a relativeexclusive value based on a total quantity of electronic interactionsexclusively between the first user and the second user, a relativelongevity value based on a length of time the first user and the seconduser have been electronically interacting, and a relative recency valuebased a recency of electronic interactions between the first user andthe second user; and a strength calculation system for weighting therelative total value, the relative exclusive value, the relative recencyvalue and the relative longevity value to yield normalized values, andfor calculating a relationship strength between the first user and thesecond user based on the normalized values.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a program productstored on a recordable medium for detecting relationships strengthsbetween users of a computerized network, comprising: program code fordetermining: a relative total value based on a total quantity ofelectronic interactions between a first user and a second user of thecomputerized network, a relative exclusive value based on a totalquantity of electronic interactions exclusively between the first userand the second user, a relative longevity value based on a length oftime the first user and the second user have been electronicallyinteracting, and a relative recency value based a recency of electronicinteractions between the first user and the second user; and

program code for weighting the relative total value, the relativeexclusive value, the relative recency value and the relative longevityvalue to yield normalized values, and for calculating a relationshipstrength between the first user and the second user based on thenormalized values.

Therefore, the present invention provides a method, system and programproduct for calculating a relationship strength between users of acomputerized network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a system for calculating relationship strengths betweenusers of a computerized network according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the relationship system of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

FIG. 3 depicts method flow diagram according to the present invention.

The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended toportray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intendedto depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and thereforeshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In thedrawings, like numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above, the present invention provides a method, system andprogram product for calculating relationship strengths between users ofa computerized network. Specifically, under the present invention a setof values is first determined. Such values include: a relative totalvalue that is based on a total quantity of electronic interactionsbetween a first user and a second user of the computerized network; arelative exclusive value that is based on a total quantity of electronicinteractions exclusively between the first user and the second user; arelative longevity value that is based on a length of time the firstuser and the second user have been electronically interacting; and arelative recency value that is based on a recency of electronicinteractions between the first user and the second user. Oncedetermined, these values are weighted to yield normalized values. Tocalculate the relationship strength, the normalized values are summedand compared to a predetermined standard.

It should be understood in advance that as used herein the term“electronic interaction” typically refers to an electronic mail messageor an instant message. However, “electronic interaction” should also beunderstood to refer to an electronic calendar entry, a contact listentry or any other way in which computer users can interact over acomputerized network. It should also be understood that as used hereinthe term “between” (as used to describe electronic interactions betweenusers) is intended to be bi-directional. For example, if there are 10electronic interactions between users “A” and “B” the 10 electronicinteractions could be from user “A” to user “B” from user “B” to user“A,” or any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 10 for calculating relationshipstrengths between users 14A-C is shown. As depicted, users 14A-C operateclients 16A-C to communicate with each other over a computerizednetwork. The computerized network can be any type of public network suchas the Internet, or any type of private network such as a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network(VPN), etc. To this extent, communication between clients 16A-C andserver 12 could occur via a direct hardwired connection (e.g., serialport), or via an addressable connection that may utilize any combinationof wireline and/or wireless transmission methods. Server 12 and clients16A-C may utilize conventional network connectivity, such as Token Ring,Ethernet, WiFi or other conventional communications standards. Moreover,connectivity could be provided by conventional TCP/IP sockets-basedprotocol. In this instance, clients 16A-C would utilize an Internetservice provider to establish connectivity to server 12. Further, server12 can be any type of server that fosters electronic interaction betweenusers 14A-C. For example, server 12 can be a web server, an applicationserver, an electronic mail server or the like.

In general, server 12 comprises central processing unit (CPU) 18, memory20, bus 22, input/output (I/O) interfaces 24, external devices/resources26 and storage unit 28. CPU 18 may comprise a single processing unit, orbe distributed across one or more processing units in one or morelocations, e.g., on a client and computer system. Memory 20 may compriseany known type of data storage and/or transmission media, includingmagnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), a data cache, a data object, etc. Moreover, similar to CPU18, memory 20 may reside at a single physical location, comprising oneor more types of data storage, or be distributed across a plurality ofphysical systems in various forms.

I/O interfaces 24 may comprise any system for exchanging informationto/from an external source. External devices/resources 26 may compriseany known type of external device, including speakers, a CRT, LCDscreen, hand-held device, keyboard, mouse, voice recognition system,speech output system, printer, monitor/display, facsimile, pager, etc.Bus 22 provides a communication link between each of the components inserver 12 and likewise may comprise any known type of transmission link,including electrical, optical, wireless, etc.

Storage unit 28 can be any system (e.g., a database) capable ofproviding storage for information under the present invention. Suchinformation could include, among other things, statistics such aselectronic interaction quantities and dates, etc. As such, storage unit28 could include one or more storage devices, such as a magnetic diskdrive or an optical disk drive. In another embodiment, storage unit 28could include data distributed across, for example, a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or a storage area network (SAN) (notshown). It should be understood that clients 16A-C will typicallyinclude computerized components (e.g., CPU, memory, etc.) similar toserver 12. Such components have not been shown for brevity purposes.

Shown in memory 20 of server 12 are interaction program 30 andrelationship system 32. Interaction program 30 is intended to representany type of program that facilitates electronic interaction betweenusers 14A-C. For example, interaction program 30 could be an electronicmail program (e.g., LOTUS NOTES, which is commercially available fromInternational Business Machines Corp. of Armonk, N.Y.), an instantmessaging program, etc. To this extent, although not shown, clients16A-C will typically include one or more programs that are complimentaryto interaction program 30 on server 12. As will be further describedbelow, relationship system 32 includes program code for calculatingrelationship strengths between users 14A-C. In general, the relationshipstrengths are calculated by measuring certain statistics correspondingto electronic interactions between users 14A-C. For example, as anelectronic mail message is communicated from user 14A to user 14B, themessage will pass through, and be routed by interaction program 30. Asthe message is being routed, statistics pertaining to the electronicinteraction are collected. Relevant statistics include identifying theusers that the electronic interaction involved (e.g., sender andrecipient(s)), the total quantity of electronic interactions betweenthose users to date, the date of the electronic interaction, etc. Thisinformation is used to determine how strong the relationship is betweenusers 14A and 14B.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a more detailed diagram of relationship system32 is shown. As depicted, relationship system 32 includes statisticcollection system 40, value calculation system 42 and strengthcalculation system 44. As users 14A-C are interacting electronically,statistic collection system 40 will collect the statistics necessary tocalculate the relationship strengths, and store the same in storage unit28 (FIG. 1). As indicated above, relevant statistics include who theelectronic interaction was between, a total quantity of electronicinteractions between users 14A-C, as well as the date of each electronicinteraction. For example, each time an electronic mail message istransmitted from user 14A to user 14B, statistic collection system 40could update one or more entries in a table to reflect the interaction.Updating the entries could include incrementing a counter correspondingto the total quantity of electronic interactions between users 14A and14B, and/or recording the date of the transmission. Regardless, oncecollected, the statistics are used by value calculation system 42 todetermine a set of relative values that will be used to calculate theoverall relationship strengths between users 14A-C. Such values includea relative total value, a relative exclusive value, a relative recencyvalue and a relative longevity value. As will be further describedbelow, the relative total value and the relative exclusive valuegenerally pertain to a quantity of electronic interactions between twousers. The relative recency value and the relative longevity valuegenerally pertain to the currency and duration of the relationshipbetween two users. Accordingly, the quantity or count of electronicinteractions between two users is relevant in determining the relativetotal value and the relative exclusive value, while the date ofelectronic interactions is useful in determining the relative recencyvalue and the relative longevity value.

As shown, value calculation system 42 includes total value system 46,exclusive value system 48, recency value system 50 and longevity valuesystem 52. These systems are programmed to calculate the above-mentionedrelative values. It should be understood that value calculation system42 could be represented in a different quantity of subsystems. It isshown as such for illustrative purposes only. In any event, for arelationship between two specific users (e.g., 14A and 14B), total valuesystem 42 will determine the relative total value. As indicated above,the relative total value for two specific users is based on a totalquantity of electronic interactions between the two users. Specifically,the relative total value is a ratio of a total quantity of electronicinteractions transmitted between the first user and the second user, toa total quantity of electronic interactions transmitted between thefirst user and all other users. For example, assume the followingstatistics were recorded by statistic collection system 40:

Total interactions between user 14A and user 14B: 10

Total interactions between user 14B and user 14C: 20

Total interactions between user 14A and user 14C: 30

In this case, since user 14A interacted with user 14B 10 times and allother users (i.e. user 14C) 30 times, the relative total value betweenusers 14A and 14B would be 10/30 or 33.33%. Once calculated, total valuesystem 46 could store this value in storage unit 28 (FIG. 1).

Using a similar technique, exclusive value system 48 will calculate therelative exclusive value for users. In general, the relative exclusivevalue is based on a total quantity of electronic interactionsexclusively between the first user and the second user. That is, therelative exclusive value represents electronic interactions with onlyone recipient such as from a first user to a second user (i.e., a one toone electronic interaction). To this extent, the relative exclusivevalue is a ratio of a total quantity of electronic interactionstransmitted between the first user and the second user in which thesecond user is an exclusive recipient, to a total quantity of electronicinteractions transmitted exclusively between the first user and allother users.

For example, assume the following statistics:

Total one to one interactions between user 14A and user 14B: 2

Total one to one interactions between user 14B and user 14C: 5

Total one to one interactions between user 14A and user 14C: 25

In this case, since there were 2 one to one electronic interactionsbetween users 14A and 14B, and 25 between users 14A and 14C, therelative exclusive value between users 14A and 14B is 2/25 or 8%.

Longevity value system 50 will use date statistics to determine therelative longevity value, which generally measures the length orduration of a relationship. To this extent, the relative longevity valueis based on the dates of electronic interactions between the users.Specifically, the relative longevity value for a given relationshipbetween a first user and a second user is a ratio of the sum of absoluteinteraction dates in months (or some other unit of time) from themidpoint date between the first and last interaction for therelationship, to the maximum (greatest) sum of the absolute interactiondates in months for all of the first user's relationships. For example,assume the following electronic interactions:

Interactions between 14A and 14B:

-   -   1 interaction on Jan. 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on Feb. 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on Jun. 1, 2003

Interactions between 14B and 14C:

-   -   1 interaction on Jan. 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on Feb. 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on Mar. 1, 2003

Interactions between 14B and 14C:

-   -   1 interaction on Jan. 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on May 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on Jun. 1, 2003

In measuring an absolute interaction date, the difference in time inmonths between the midpoint date between the first and last electronicinteraction, and the interaction date must be determined. For example,for electronic interactions between users 14A and 14B, the interactiondates are Jan. 1, 2003, Feb. 1, 2003 and Jun. 1, 2003. Accordingly, themidpoint between the first (Jan. 1, 2003) and last (Jun. 1, 2003)interaction dates is Mar. 15, 2003. To calculate absolute interactiondates for the electronic interactions between users 14A and 14B, thedifferences between this midpoint value and the respective interactiondates are determined and summed. Thus, the sum of absolute interactiondates in months for the relationship between users 14A and 14B based onthe above statistics is calculated as follows:(Mar. 15, 2003−Jun. 1, 2003)+(Mar. 15, 2003−Feb. 1, 2003)+(Mar. 15,2003−Jan. 1, 2003)=2.5 months+1.5 months+2.5 months=6.5 months

Similarly, the sum of the absolute interaction dates in months for therelationship between users 14B and 14C (with the midpoint value beingFeb. 1, 2002):(Feb. 1, 2002−Jan. 1, 2002)+(Feb. 1, 2002−Feb. 1, 2002)+(Feb. 1,2002−Mar. 1, 2002)=1 months+0 months+1 months=2 months

The sum of the absolute interaction dates in months for the relationshipbetween users 14A and 14C (with the midpoint value being Mar. 15, 2003):(Mar. 15, 2003−Jun. 1, 2003)+(Mar. 15, 2003−May 1, 2003)+(Mar. 15,2003−Jan. 1, 2003)=2.5 months+1.5 months+2.5 months=6.5 months

These values each serve as the numerator for the relative longevityvalues (ratios).

They are also used to determine the maximum (greatest) sum for eachuser, which become the denominator in each ratio. It should beunderstood in advance, however, that under the present invention thereare at least two ways of calculating the relative longevity ratio/valueand the relative recency ratio/value (described in greater detailbelow). The first is uni-directional where the ratio from user 14A touser 14B is different from the ratio from user 14B to user 14A. Thesecond way is bi-directional where the ratio from user 14A to user 14Bis equal to the ratio from user 14B to user 14A. The former isadvantageous if the values need to be normalized around user 14A. Thelater is advantageous if the values need to be normalized around therelationship. For example if the results will be presented to user 14Athen the uni-directional approach should be used. If the values will beused by an administrator who is looking at the social network as a wholethen the bi-directional way is likely better. This notion applies toboth the relative longevity value, as well as the relative recency valuewhich will be further described below. However, for the illustrativeexamples described herein, the bi-directional method be shown.

Accordingly, based on the above-calculated values, the maximum sum ofthe absolute interaction dates in months for user 14A is 6.5 months.Specifically, two of the above-calculated values involved user 14A.Namely, the relationship between users 14A and 14B, as well as therelationship between users 14A and 14C. Accordingly, the maximum sum ofthe interaction dates for users 14A-C using the bi-directional method iscalculated as follows:

For user 14A MAX (6.5 months or 6.5 months)=6.5 months

For user 14B MAX (2.0 months or 6.5 months)=6.5 months

For user 14C MAX (6.5 months or 2.0 months)=6.5 months

Accordingly:

For users 14A-B MAX (6.5 months, 6.5 months)=6.5 months

For users 14B-C MAX (6.5 months, 6.5 months)=6.5 months

For users 14A-C MAX (6.5 months, 6.5 months)=6.5 months

These MAX values are then used as the denominator for the three relativerecency values (ratios). Thus, the relative recency value between users14A and 14B=6.5/6.5=1 or 100%.

Similarly, the relative recency volume between users 14B and14C=2.0/6.5=0.31 or 31%.

Lastly, the relative recency value between users 14A and 14C=6.5/6.5=1or 100%.

After longevity value system 50 has determined the relative longevityvalues, recency value system 52 will calculate a relative recency valuefor each relationship. Similar the relative longevity value, therelative recency value is based on dates of interaction and can becalculated on a uni-directional basis or a bi-directional basis. Underthe present invention, a relative recency value for a relationshipbetween a first user and a second user is a ratio of the sum of absoluteinteraction dates in months (or some other unit of time) for therelationship from some reference date, to the maximum sum of absoluteinteraction dates in months for all of the first user's relationships.For example, assume the following electronic interactions:

Interactions between users 14A and 14B:

-   -   1 interaction on Jan. 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on Feb. 1, 2003

Interactions between users 14B and 14C:

-   -   1 interaction on Jan. 1, 2002    -   1 interaction on Feb. 1, 2002

Interactions between users 14A and 14C:

-   -   1 interaction on Jan. 1, 2003    -   1 interaction on May 1, 2003

First, the sum of absolute interaction dates for each relationship mustbe calculated in months. Under the present invention, each absoluteinteraction date involves determining the difference between aninteraction date and a reference date. For example, if Jun. 1, 2003 isthe present a date and is selected as a reference date, the absoluteinteraction date for an electronic interaction occurring on Jan. 1, 2003would be (Jun. 1, 2003−Jan. 1, 2003) or 5 months.

Using this formula, the sum of the absolute interaction dates in monthsfor the relationship between users 14A and 14B=(Jun. 1, 2003−Jan. 1, 2003)+(Jun. 1, 2003−Feb. 1, 2003)=5 months+4months=9 months

Similarly, the sum of the absolute interaction dates in months for therelationship between users 14B and 14C=(Jun. 1, 2003−Jan. 1, 2002)+(Jun. 1, 2003−Feb. 1, 2002)=17 months+16months=33 months

The sum of the absolute interaction dates in months for the relationshipbetween users 14A and 14C=(Jun. 1, 2003−Jan. 1, 2003)+(Jun. 1, 2003−May 1, 2003)=5 months+1month=6 months

These values represent the numerators of each respect relative recencyvalue (ratio). The denominator is determined based on the maximum(greatest) sum of absolute interaction dates for users 14A-C.Specifically, in viewing these values, it can be determined that themaximum (greatest) sum of the absolute interaction dates in months foreach pair of users 14A-C is 33 months. Specifically, the denominator foreach pair of users 14A-C is calculated by the following:

For user 14A MAX (9 months, 6 months)=9 months

For user 14B MAX (9 months, 33 months)=33 months

For user 14C MAX (33 months, 6 months)=33 months

Accordingly:

For users 14A-14B MAX (9 months, 33 months)=33 months

For users 14B-C MAX (33 months, 33 months)=33 months

For users 14A-C MAX (9 months, 33 months)=33 months

Using these values, the relative recency value between users 14A and14B=9 months/33 months=0.27 or 27%.

The relative recency value between users 14B and 14C=33 months/33months=1.0 or 100%.

Lastly, the relative recency value between users 14A and 14C=6 months/33months=0.18 or 18%.

Using the above examples, it can be seen that for the relationshipbetween users 14A and 14B, we have the following values:

Relative total value=0.33

Relative exclusive value=0.08

Relative longevity value=1

Relative recency value=0.27

Once these values are determined, weighting system 54 will normalize thevalues. Specifically, weighting system 54 will apply a weighting factorto each relative value to yield weighted values. Thereafter, summationsystem 56 will sum the weighted values to yield a relationship strength.For example, assume we give each relative value 25% weight. Then therelationship strength would be calculated as follows:(0.33×0.25)+(0.08×0.25)+(1×0.25)+(0.27×0.25)=0.0825+0.02+0.25+0.0675=0.42or 42%.

This relationship strength can be compared to a predetermined standardto determine its relative strength. For example, a predeterminedstandard could be on the range of 0-100, with 100 being the strongestpossible relationship and 0 being the weakest. In this case, therelationship between users 14A and 14B would likely be considered tohave below-average strength.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram 100 of a method according to thepresent invention is shown. As depicted, first step S1 is to determine arelative total value based on a total quantity of electronicinteractions between a first user and a second user of the computerizednetwork. Second step S2 is to determine a relative exclusive value basedon a total quantity of electronic interactions exclusively between thefirst user and the second user. Third step S3 is to determine a relativelongevity value based on a length of time the first user and the seconduser have been electronically interacting. Fourth step S4 is todetermine a relative recency value based a recency of electronicinteractions between the first user and the second user. Fifth step S5is to weight the relative total value, the relative exclusive value, therelative recency value and the relative longevity value to yieldnormalized values. Sixth step S6 is to calculate a relationship strengthbetween the first user and the second user based on the normalizedvalues.

It is understood that the present invention can be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. Any kind ofcomputer/server system(s)—or other apparatus adapted for carrying outthe methods described herein—is suited. A typical combination ofhardware and software could be a general-purpose computer system with acomputer program that, when loaded and executed, carries out therespective methods described herein. Alternatively, a specific usecomputer, containing specialized hardware for carrying out one or moreof the functional tasks of the invention, could be utilized. The presentinvention can also be embedded in a computer program product, whichcomprises all the respective features enabling the implementation of themethods described herein, and which—when loaded in a computer system—isable to carry out these methods. Computer program, software program,program, or software, in the present context mean any expression, in anylanguage, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause asystem having an information processing capability to perform aparticular function either directly or after either or both of thefollowing: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; and/or(b) reproduction in a different material form.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. For example, theorder in which the relative values are determined is not intended to bea limiting part of this invention. That is, any of the relative valuescould be determined in any order.

1. A method for calculating relationships strengths between users of acomputerized network, comprising: determining a relative total valuebased on a total quantity of electronic interactions between a firstuser and a second user of the computerized network; determining arelative exclusive value based on a total quantity of electronicinteractions exclusively between the first user and the second user;determining a relative longevity value based on a length of time thefirst user and the second user have been electronically interacting;determining a relative recency value based a recency of electronicinteractions between the first user and the second user; weighting therelative total value, the relative exclusive value, the relative recencyvalue and the relative longevity value to yield normalized values; andcalculating a relationship strength between the first user and thesecond user based on the normalized values.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of determining a relative total value comprisesdetermining a ratio of a total quantity of electronic interactionstransmitted between the first user and the second user to a totalquantity of electronic interactions transmitted between the first userand all other users.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofdetermining a relative exclusive value comprises determining a ratio ofa total quantity of electronic interactions transmitted between thefirst user and the second user in which the second user is an exclusiverecipient, to a total quantity of electronic interactions transmittedexclusively between the first user and all other users.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of determining a relative recency valuecomprises determining a ratio of a sum of absolute interaction datesbetween the first user and the second user from a reference date, to amaximum sum of absolute interaction dates between the first user and allother users.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining arelative longevity value comprises determining a ratio of a sum ofabsolute interaction dates from a midpoint date between a firstinteraction and a last interaction between the first user and the seconduser, to a maximum sum of absolute interaction dates between the firstuser and all other users.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thecalculating step comprises summing the normalized values to yield therelationship strength between the first user and the second user.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the electronic interactions are selected fromthe group consisting of electronic mail messages, instant message,calendar entries and contact list entries.
 8. A system for detectingrelationships strengths between users of a computerized network,comprising: a value calculation system for determining: a relative totalvalue based on a total quantity of electronic interactions between afirst user and a second user of the computerized network, a relativeexclusive value based on a total quantity of electronic interactionsexclusively between the first user and the second user, a relativelongevity value based on a length of time the first user and the seconduser have been electronically interacting, and a relative recency valuebased a recency of electronic interactions between the first user andthe second user; and a strength calculation system for weighting therelative total value, the relative exclusive value, the relative recencyvalue and the relative longevity value to yield normalized values, andfor calculating a relationship strength between the first user and thesecond user based on the normalized values.
 9. The system of claim 8,further comprising a statistic collection system for collectingstatistics corresponding to electronic interactions between the users ofthe electronic network, wherein the statistics are used by the valuecalculation system to determine the relative total value, the relativeexclusive value, the relative recency value and the relative longevityvalue.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the relative total valuecomprises a ratio of a total quantity of electronic interactionstransmitted between the first user and the second user to a totalquantity of electronic interactions transmitted between the first userand all other users.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the relativeexclusive value comprises a ratio of a total quantity of electronicinteractions transmitted between the first user and the second user inwhich the second user is an exclusive recipient, to a total quantity ofelectronic interactions transmitted exclusively between the first userand all other users.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the relativerecency value comprises a ratio of a sum of absolute interaction datesbetween the first user and the second user from a reference date, to amaximum sum of absolute interaction dates between the first user and allother users
 13. The system claim 8, wherein the relative longevity valuecomprises a ratio of a sum of absolute interaction dates from a midpointdate between a first interaction and a last interaction between thefirst user and the second user, to a maximum sum of absolute interactiondates between the first user and all other users.
 14. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the strength calculation system comprises: a weightingsystem for weighting the relative total volume, the relative exclusivevolume, the relative recency value and the relative longevity value toyield the normalized values; and a summation system for summing thenormalized values to yield the relationship strength between the firstuser and the second user.
 15. The system of claim 8, wherein theelectronic interactions are selected from the group consisting ofelectronic mail messages, instant message, calendar entries and contactlist entries.
 16. A program product stored on a recordable medium fordetecting relationships strengths between users of a computerizednetwork, comprising: program code for determining: a relative totalvalue based on a total quantity of electronic interactions between afirst user and a second user of the computerized network, a relativeexclusive value based on a total quantity of electronic interactionsexclusively between the first user and the second user, a relativelongevity value based on a length of time the first user and the seconduser have been electronically interacting, and a relative recency valuebased a recency of electronic interactions between the first user andthe second user; and program code for weighting the relative totalvalue, the relative exclusive value, the relative recency value and therelative longevity value to yield normalized values, and for calculatinga relationship strength between the first user and the second user basedon the normalized values.
 17. The program product of claim 16, furthercomprising program code for collecting statistics corresponding toelectronic interactions between the users of the electronic network,wherein the statistics are used to determine the relative total value,the relative exclusive value, the relative recency value and therelative longevity value.
 18. The program product of claim 16, whereinthe relative total value comprises a ratio of a total quantity ofelectronic interactions transmitted between the first user and thesecond user to a total quantity of electronic interactions transmittedbetween the first user and all other users.
 19. The program product ofclaim 16, wherein the relative exclusive value comprises a ratio of atotal quantity of electronic interactions transmitted between the firstuser and the second user in which the second user is an exclusiverecipient, to a total quantity of electronic interactions transmittedexclusively between the first user and all other users.
 20. The programproduct of claim 16, wherein the relative recency value comprises aratio of a sum of absolute interaction dates between the first user andthe second user from a reference date, to a maximum sum of absoluteinteraction dates between the first user and all other users
 21. Theprogram product of claim 16, wherein the relative longevity valuecomprises a ratio of a sum of absolute interaction dates from a midpointdate between a first interaction and a last interaction between thefirst user and the second user, to a maximum sum of absolute interactiondates between the first user and all other users.
 22. The programproduct of claim 16, wherein the normalized values are summed to yieldthe relationship strength between the first user and the second user.23. The program product of claim 16, wherein the electronic interactionsare selected from the group consisting of electronic mail messages,instant message, calendar entries and contact list entries.